Just in time for the holiday season, this is part one of the Politicized Radio holiday extravaganza. I offer what I may be the only intellectual critique of Halloween: how it promotes negative cultural norms such as consumerism, privilege and bigotry, and encourages arrogant, anti-social behavior. I think I said it better on the show.

I also mentioned an article from the excellent Yes Magazine on the Real Value of Stuff.

Part two on Thanksgiving, the National Day of Mourning, will be released next week, and part three will follow next month. Sometime soon we'll have a discussion of a basic / guaranteed minimum income.

Let me know what you think about my anti-Halloween ideas, and send suggested reading if you know of other academic or intellectual commentary related to Halloween or any other holidays. Leave a comment on this page, send email to feedback[at]politicized.org, find me on Twitter @unconventionist, or use the contact form. If you like what you hear, please share it around and leave reviews on iTunes and other places. Subscribe to the show to be notified of new episodes.